Vehicle fuel vapor recovery system

ABSTRACT

A compartment wall structure defines a fuel filler compartment that includes a tube receiving opening and a vent opening. A fuel receiving end of a fuel filler tube is located at the tube receiving opening of the fuel filler compartment. A fuel tank attachment end thereof is located outside the fuel filler compartment and is spaced apart from the compartment wall structure. An air vent structure is in fluid communication with the vent opening. The air vent structure defines a chamber opening connected via a vent line to a fuel vapor filter canister. Vapor from the fuel filler compartment is vented to the fuel vapor filter canister through the chamber opening. The air vent structure has a screen at the chamber opening to prevent entry of objects, such as, for example, insects and/or debris through the chamber opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/096,754 filed on Dec. 4, 2013 and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/096,818 also filed on Dec. 4, 2013. The entiredisclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/096,754 and14/096,818 are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle fuel vapor recoverysystem. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehiclefuel vapor recovery system that includes a vent structure located at afuel filler tube of a vehicle.

Background Information

During a vehicle refueling process, as fuel fills a fuel tank of thevehicle, air within the fuel tank is displaced. The displaced airtypically includes hydrocarbon compounds that have vaporized from theliquid fuel within the fuel tank. New vehicles are typically equippedwith a fuel vapor recovery system that includes a charcoal filled filtercanister. The filter canister is configured to capture the hydrocarbonspresent in air escaping from the fuel tank during a vehicle refuelingprocess.

Later, when the engine of the vehicle is operating, the fuel vaporrecovery system is configured such that fresh air is allowed to flowinto the filter canister, drawing the hydrocarbons out of the filtercanister. This fresh air and the captured hydrocarbons are then fed intothe engine and combusted along with liquid fuel from the fuel tank. Thefilter canister is connected to a vent that is positioned to draw thefresh air in when the engine is operating. The vent is typically locatedsomewhere under a fender or other body panel of the vehicle drawing airin from under the vehicle.

SUMMARY

One object of the disclosure is to provide a fuel vapor recovery systemof a vehicle with a protected air vent chamber that vents air to a fuelfiller compartment and also draws fresh air in from the fuel fillercompartment.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a fuel vapor recoverysystem of a vehicle with an air vent for a vehicle fuel vapor recoverysystem that is protected from weather extremes and outdoor debris.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of thedisclosure of a vehicle fuel vapor recovery structure includes acompartment wall structure, a fuel filler tube and an air ventstructure. The compartment wall structure has an interior surfacedefining a fuel filler compartment, the fuel filler compartment definesa tube receiving opening and a vent opening. The fuel filler tube has afuel receiving end and a fuel tank attachment end. The fuel receivingend is located at the tube receiving opening of the fuel fillercompartment and the fuel tank attachment end is located outside the fuelfiller compartment and spaced apart from the compartment wall structure.The air vent structure is in fluid communication with the vent openingof the compartment wall structure. The air vent structure defines achamber opening connected via a vent line to a fuel vapor filtercanister such that vapor from the fuel filler compartment is vented tothe fuel vapor filter canister through the chamber opening. The air ventstructure has a screen at the chamber opening to prevent entry ofobjects, such as, for example, insects and/or debris, through thechamber opening to the fuel vapor filter canister.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fuel vapor recovery system of a vehiclethat includes an air vent chamber that is connected to a fuel fillercompartment in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a rearward portion of a vehicle showing anexterior surface of a side body panel that at least partially definesthe fuel filler compartment of the fuel vapor recovery system inaccordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of the rearward portion of a vehicle showingan interior (hidden) surface of the side body panel, the fuel fillercompartment and the air vent chamber of the fuel vapor recovery systemin accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the side body panel showingdetails of the fuel filler compartment, and a fuel filler tube assemblythat includes a cap protector, a fuel filler tube and a collar that atleast partially define the air vent chamber in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view the fuel filler tube assembly removed fromthe side body panel and the fuel filler compartment showing the capprotector, the fuel filler tube and the collar of the air vent chamberin accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the fuel filler tube assembly showing thecap protector, the fuel filler tube and two half collar sections thatdefine the collar in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the fuel filler tube assembly showing the capprotector and a fuel receiving end of the fuel filler tube in accordancewith the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel filler compartment and thefuel filler tube assembly showing details of the collar that at leastpartially forms the air vent chamber in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a first half collar section of the collarshowing ribs on an inner surface of the first half collar section thatdefine an air flow passageway in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a second half collar section of the collarshowing ribs on an inner surface of the second half collar section thatfurther define the air flow passageway in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second half collar section of thecollar showing a tube fitting that is connected to a vent opening of thesecond half collar section in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the second half collar section ofthe collar showing the ribs that define the air flow passageway and thevent opening of the second half collar section in accordance with thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fuel filler tube assembly inaccordance with a second embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel filler tube assembly takenalong the line 14-14 in FIG. 13 showing an alternate configuration of anair vent chamber in accordance with the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a fuel vapor recovery system 10 thatincludes a fuel filler tube assembly 12 having an air vent chamberstructure 14 defining an air vent chamber 15 is illustrated inaccordance with a first embodiment. The air vent chamber 15 is partiallydefined by a collar 16 that is installed to the fuel filler tubeassembly 12, as is described in greater detail below after a briefdescription of parts of the fuel vapor recovery system 10.

The fuel vapor recovery system 10 basically includes a fuel tank 20, afuel filler tube 22, a refueling control valve 24, a vapor cutoff valve26, an engine vacuum cut-off valve 28, a filter canister 30, a ventvalve 32, a fuel level sensor 34, the air vent chamber structure 14 andassociated vent lines that provide sealed fluid communication betweenconnected elements. Specifically, a first line L₁ connects the fuelfiller tube 22 to the fuel tank 20; a second line L₂ connects the fuelfiller tube 22 to the refueling control valve 24; a third line L₃connects the air vent chamber 15 to the vent valve 32; a fourth line L₄connects the refueling control valve 24 to the filter canister 30; afifth line L₅ connects the vapor cutoff valve 26 to the engine vacuumcut-off valve 28; a sixth line L₆ connects the engine vacuum cut-offvalve 28 to the filter canister 30 and a seventh line L₇ connects thefilter canister 30 to an intake manifold (not shown) of an engine 36 ina conventional manner.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description hereinthat a fuel delivery system (not shown) is configured to draw liquidfuel from the fuel tank 20 and deliver it to the engine 36, while theengine 36 is operating. Since the fuel delivery system (not shown) is aconventional system, further description is omitted for the sake ofbrevity.

The fuel vapor recovery system 10 is configured to operate the refuelingcontrol valve 24, the engine vacuum cut-off valve 28 and the vent valve32 to direct vapors exiting the fuel tank 20 during refueling to thefilter canister 30. The filter canister 30 is filled with a hydrocarbonabsorbing material, such as, for example, charcoal. The hydrocarbonabsorbing material absorbs hydrocarbons during the re-fueling process.Thereafter, while the engine 36 of the vehicle 10 is operating, therefueling control valve 24, the engine vacuum cut-off valve 28 and thevent valve 32 are operated to draw fresh air in from the air ventchamber 15 via the third line L₃, and pass the fresh air through thefilter canister 30. The fresh air flowing through the filter canister 30draws the hydrocarbons out of the hydrocarbon absorbing material suchthat the hydrocarbons are drawn through the line L₇ to the engine 36,where the hydrocarbons are consumed in the combustion process. The fuelvapor recovery system 10 includes a controller (not shown) that controlsthe refueling control valve 24, the engine vacuum cut-off valve 28 andthe vent valve 32 and detects the fuel level sensed by the fuel levelsensor 34. One example of the configuration of the controller (notshown) and overall operation of the fuel vapor recovery system 10 isfurther described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2002/0153374, filed Mar. 29, 2002, (assigned to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.),which is incorporated herein in its entirety. There are alternative waysof configuring a controller and operating the fuel vapor recovery system10.

It should be understood from the drawings and description herein, thatthe basic elements of the fuel vapor recovery system described in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0153374 can be altered andre-arranged in order to achieve the fuel vapor recovery system 10described herein. However, it should be understood that the specificembodiments described herein include the unique features of the fuelfiller tube assembly 12, and the air vent chamber structure 14 which arenot disclosed or suggested in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2002/0153374. More specifically, the fuel filler tube assembly 12, andthe air vent chamber structure 14 described herein can be employed withother fuel vapor recovery systems that differ from that disclosed inU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0153374.

FIG. 2 shows rear portion of a vehicle 50 that includes the fuel fillertube assembly 12. More specifically, the vehicle 50 includes a side bodypanel 52, a fuel door 54, a fuel filler compartment 56, with the fuelfiller tube 22 exposed with the fuel door 54 in an open position, asshown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a removable fuel filler cap 58 is removablyinstalled to the fuel filler tube 22 such that with the removable fuelfiller cap 58 installed, the fuel filler tube 22 is sealed off from thefuel filler compartment 56. However, as is described in greater detailbelow, when the removable fuel filler cap 58 is installed to the fuelfiller tube 22, the air vent chamber 15 continues to be in fluidcommunication with the fuel filler compartment 56.

The side body panel 52 has an exterior surface 60 (FIG. 2), an interiorsurface 62 (FIG. 3) and a compartment opening 64 that extends from theexterior surface 60 to the interior surface 62, as shown in FIG. 4. Asshown in FIG. 3, the third line L₃ extends from the fuel filler tube 22behind the side body panel 52, hidden from view.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel filler tube assembly 12 and the fuel fillertube 22 extend inward from the fuel filler compartment 56 away from theinterior surface 62 and toward the fuel tank 20 (shown in FIG. 1). Thefuel filler tube 22 further extends from the fuel filler compartment 56,which is described in greater detail below.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein,that the fuel filler compartment 56, fuel filler tube assembly 12 andthe fuel filler tube 22 can be installed at any of a variety oflocations around the vehicle 10. Specifically, the fuel fillercompartment 56 and the fuel filler tube 22 can be installed within arear storage area (the trunk) of the vehicle 50, behind a rear licenseplate support structure (not shown) or other location of the vehicle 50.The fuel filler compartment 56 and the fuel filler tube 22 can also beinstalled at locations around a front portion of the vehicle 50. Inother words, the drawings only depict one location of the fuel fillercompartment 56 on the vehicle 50, but not the only location.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel filler compartment 56 is defined by theside body panel 52, the fuel door 54 and a compartment wall structure70. The compartment wall structure includes an inboard surface 70 a andan outboard surface 70 b. As shown in FIG. 4, the compartment wallstructure 70 is further defined by a cap protector 72 and anintermediate wall structure 74, as is described in greater detail below.However, alternatively, the compartment wall structure 70 can be definedas a single monolithic element, or any combination of the cap protector72 and the intermediate wall structure 74 as desired or required. Forexample, the cap protector 72 and the intermediate wall structure 74 canbe formed of a single metallic member, molded or pressed to form thecombined shapes of the cap protector 72 and the intermediate wallstructure 74 that is then welded to the side body panel 52. Further, thecompartment wall structure 70 can be formed as an integral part of theside body panel 52, where the side body panel 52 is molded or pressed toinclude the overall shapes and/or functions of the cap protector 72 andthe intermediate wall structure 74.

The fuel door 54 is moveably fixed to the side body panel 52 by a hingestructure for movement between an open position shown in FIG. 2 and aclosed position shown in FIG. 4. In the closed position, the fuel door54 covers the compartment opening 64 protecting the fuel fillercompartment 56. In the open position, the fuel door 54 exposes the fuelfiller tube 22 making refueling possible.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the intermediate wall structure 74 is weldedto the interior surface 62 of the side body panel 52 at welds W andsurrounds the compartment opening 64 in the side body panel 52. Theintermediate wall structure 74 is dimensioned to provide sufficientspace to define an outboard portion of the fuel filler compartment 56 asshown in FIG. 4. The intermediate wall structure 74 includes an interiorsurface 76 (interior relative to the fuel filler compartment 56) thatdefines a first portion of the outboard surface 70 b of the compartmentwall structure 70, and an exterior surface 78 that is exposed behind theside body panel 52 and defines a first portion of the inboard surface 70a of the compartment wall structure 70. The intermediate wall structure74 also includes an opening 80 that extends from the interior surface 76to the exterior surface 78.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cap protector 72 includes a first surface84 and a second surface 86. The first surface 84 defines a secondportion of the outboard surface 70 b of the compartment wall structure70. The second surface 86 defines a second portion of the inboardsurface 70 a of the compartment wall structure 70. The cap protector 72further includes a tube receiving opening 88 and a plurality of ventopenings 90. The tube receiving opening 88 and the vent openings 90extend from the first surface 84 to the second surface 86. However, thevent openings 90 are circumferentially spaced apart from one another andare spaced radially outward of the tube receiving opening 88. The capprotector 72 defines an inboard portion of the fuel filler compartment56 as shown in FIG. 8 and an inboard portion of the compartment wallstructure 70.

The compartment wall structure 70 (the cap protector 72 and theintermediate wall structure 74) defines the tube receiving opening 88that extends from the inboard surface 70 a to the outboard surface 70 bof the compartment wall structure 70. A portion of the fuel filler tube22 extends through the tube receiving opening 88 into the fuel fillercompartment 56 and is attached to the compartment wall structure 70 atthe tube receiving opening 88 of the cap protector 72.

As mentioned above, the first surface 84 of the cap protector 72 and theinterior surface 76 of the intermediate wall structure 74 at leastpartially define the fuel filler compartment 56. Alternatively, theopening 80 of the intermediate wall structure 74 could be made smallerto act as the tube receiving opening 88, and the fuel filler tube 22could be inserted into the opening 80 and attached directly to theintermediate wall structure 74; and the vent openings 90 could be formedin the intermediate wall structure 74 surrounding the opening 80circumferentially spaced apart from one another and spaced radiallyoutward from the opening 80.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein,that the compartment wall structure 70, and in particular, theintermediate wall structure 74, can alternatively be formed by welding aplurality of separate elements together to achieve the depicted shape.Further, the intermediate wall structure 74 can be made of a pluralityof sheet metal panels welded together to form a rectangular box-likeshape.

For simplified manufacturing, the elements that define the compartmentwall structure 70 can be separately manufactured. Specifically, theintermediate wall structure 74 can be manufactured separately from thecap protector 72. Further, the cap protector 72 can be assembled to thefuel filler tube 22 to define the fuel filler tube assembly 12.

A description of the fuel filler tube assembly 12 is now provided withspecific reference to FIGS. 4-8. The fuel filler tube assembly 12basically includes the fuel filler tube 22, the cap protector 72 and thecollar 16. The fuel filler tube assembly 12 can be assembled prior tobeing fitted to the vehicle 50. For example, the cap protector 72 andthe fuel filler tube 22 are welded together at welds W. Thereafter, thecap protector 72 is inserted into the opening 80 of the intermediatewall structure 74 and with a grommet G_(R) positioned therebetween suchthat the intermediate wall structure 74 and the cap protector 72 arebasically friction fitted together via the grommet G_(R). The collar 16can be installed to the fuel filler tube 22 either prior to or afterinstallation of the fuel filler tube 22 and cap protector 72 to theintermediate wall structure 74.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tube receiving opening 88 and the ventopenings 90 extend from the first surface 84 to the second surface 86 ofthe cap protector 72.

The fuel filler tube 22 includes an outer surface 92, an inner surface94 (FIG. 7), a fuel receiving end 96, a fuel tank attachment end 98(FIG. 1) and alignment pins 92 a (only one alignment pin 92 a is shownin the drawings). The inner surface 94 defines a filler opening 94 a anda fuel passageway 99 that extends from the fuel receiving end 96 to thefuel tank attachment end 98. Thus, a vehicle operator can refuel thevehicle 50 by pumping fuel into the filler opening 94 a at the fuelreceiving end 96 where it will be directed through the fuel passageway99 of the fuel filler tube 22 into the fuel tank 20. As shown in FIG. 1,the fuel tank attachment end 98 is connected to the fuel tank 20.

The fuel receiving end 96 of the fuel filler tube 22 extends through thetube receiving opening 88 of the cap protector 72 such that the fuelreceiving end 96 and the filler opening 94 a are located within the fuelfiller compartment 56. However, the majority of the fuel tank filer tube22 and the fuel tank attachment end 98 are located outside the fuelfiller compartment 56 behind the side body panel 52.

The fuel receiving end 96 of the fuel filler tube 22 includes an annularflange 96 a. As shown in FIG. 7, the annular flange 96 a is flaredradially outwardly relative to the filler opening 94 a with a distaledge thereof extending over the vent openings 90. Further, as viewed inFIG. 7 along a central axis of the filler opening 94 a, the annularflange 96 a conceals the vent openings 90.

The two alignment pins 92 a are disposed at opposite sides of the fuelfiller tube 22. The alignment pins 92 a can be formed with the fuelfiller tube 22 or can be metallic pins welded to the fuel filler tube 22at predetermined locations. The alignment pins 92 a are located on thefuel filler tube 22 in order to precisely position the collar 16 on thefuel filler tube 22 relative to the compartment wall structure 70, asdescribed in greater detail below.

The air vent chamber 15 is defined outside of the fuel fillercompartment 56. More specifically, the air vent chamber 15 is a spacethat is confined by the collar 16, a portion of the outer surface 92 ofthe fuel filler tube 22 surrounded by the collar 16 and a portion of theoutboard surface 70 b of the compartment wall structure 70 covered bythe collar 16. Further, the portion of the outboard surface 70 b of thecompartment wall structure 70 covered by the collar 16 is defined by thesecond surface 86 of the cap protector 72, as shown in FIG. 8.

The collar 16 is a cylindrical or ring shaped structure that includes anannular wall 100. The collar 16 has an outer collar surface 104 and aninner collar surface 106. With the collar 16 installed around the fuelfiller tube 22, the annular wall 100 is located outside of the fuelfiller compartment 56 adjacent to the second surface 86 of the capprotector 72, as shown in FIG. 8. Further, an annular surface 100 a ofthe annular wall 100 contacts the outboard surface 70 b of thecompartment wall structure 70 defined by the second surface 86 of thecap protector 72 (as shown in FIG. 8) and can include an optional seal Slocated between the annular surface 100 a of the annular wall 100 andthe exterior surface 78, thereby partially sealing the air vent chamber15. It should be understood from the drawings and the description hereinthat the seal S between the annular surface 100 a of the annular wall100 and the second surface 86 of the cap protector 72 can be replacedwith an adhesive material or sealant material.

The annular wall 100 is basically a cylinder that completely encirclesor surrounds the fuel filler tube 22. The annular wall 100 is basicallycircumferentially equidistant from the outer surface 92 of the fuel tankfiller tube 22. The fuel receiving end 96 of the fuel filler tube 22defines an axis A, and the annular wall 100 of the collar defines anaxis B that is coaxial with the axis A when installed to the fuel fillertube 22. The annular wall 100 is a side wall of the collar 16. Thecollar 16 also includes an end wall 102. The annular wall 100 has afirst end that is contiguous with the end wall, and a second endopposite the end wall 102. The end wall has an inner surface 102 b thatis continuous with the inner collar surface 106, and an outer surface102 c that is continuous with the outer collar surface 104. As shown inFIG. 8, at least a portion of the end wall 102 extends in a directionthat is perpendicular to the annular wall 100. More specifically, theannular wall 100 extends in an axial direction along an axis A as shownin FIG. 8. The end wall 102 extends radially inward from the annularwall 100 toward the axis A.

More specifically, the end wall 102 extends radially inwardly from theannular wall 100 with a tube receiving surface 102 a extending from theinner surface 102 b to the outer surface 102 c and contacting the outersurface 92 of the fuel filler tube 22. Another seal S can optionally beprovided along the tube receiving surface 102 a of the end wall 102contacting the outer surface 92 of the fuel filler tube 22, therebyfurther sealing the air vent chamber 15, as shown in FIG. 8. Hence, theair vent chamber 15 is defined by the portion of the outer surface 92 ofthe fuel filler tube 22 surrounded by the collar 16, the inner collarsurface 106 of the collar 16, the end wall 102 of the collar 16 and thecovered portion of the second surface 86 of the cap protector 72. Asshown in FIG. 8, when installed to the fuel filler tube 22, the upperend of the collar 16 defines an opening 108 that overlaps the ventopenings 90 in the cap protector 72. Specifically, the inner collarsurface 106 of the collar 16 is spaced apart from the outer surface 92defining the opening 108. It should be understood from the drawings andthe description herein that the seal S between the tube receivingsurface 102 a of the end wall 102 and the outer surface 92 of the fuelfiller tube 22 can be replaced with an adhesive material or sealantmaterial.

The collar 16 is dimensioned such that the vent openings 90 in the capprotector 72 provide fluid communication between the fuel fillercompartment 56 and the air vent chamber 15. In other words, the outersurface 92 of the fuel filler tube 22 has a diameter D₁ and the innercollar surface 106 of the collar 16 has a diameter D₂ with the diameterD₂ being larger than the diameter D₁. The vent openings 90 are locatedradially outward of the outer surface 92 of the fuel filler tube 22 andlocated radially inward of the inner collar surface 106 of the collar16. Consequently, the opening 108 of the collar 16 is open to the ventopenings 90. Thus, the vent openings 90 serve as a conduit or ductbetween the fuel filler compartment 56 and the air vent chamber 15.

A further description of the collar 16 in accordance with the firstembodiment is now provided with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9-12. As shownin FIG. 6, the collar 16 includes a first half collar section 110 and asecond half collar section 112. Both the first half collar section 110and the second half collar section 112 includes snap-fitting projections114 and mating openings 116 such that the snap-fitting projections 114snap into the openings 116 locking the first half collar section 110 tothe second half collar section 112 to form the annular ring shape of thecollar 16. Both the first half collar section 110 and the second halfcollar section 112 define respective sections of the inner collarsurface 106 and have open areas at an upper end thereof that define theopening 108. The first half collar section 110 and the second halfcollar section 112 can include a seal between their respective matingsurfaces or can be sealed with an adhesive material or sealant material.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first half collar section 110 defines half ofthe annular surface 100 a of the annular wall 100, half of the tubereceiving surface 102 a defined by the end wall 102 and half of theinner collar surface 106. An alignment concavity 120 is formed at acentral location on the inner collar surface 106. The alignmentconcavity 120 is located to receive the alignment pins 92 a such thatthe collar 16 is positioned relative to the fuel filler tube 22 at apredetermined location and remains in position once installed. Further,the inner collar surface 106 includes a plurality of ribs R that extendin directions parallel to one another. The ribs R are spaced apart fromone another relative to an axial direction of the collar 16 and contactthe outer surface 92 of the fuel filler tube 22. Further, the ribs R areinterrupted with sections being removed to form a series of gaps G. Thearrangement of ribs R and gaps G are staggered at least partiallydefining an airflow passage way, as is described in greater detail belowin the description of the second half collar section 112.

As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the second half collar section 112 defines asecond half of the annular surface 100 a of the annular wall 100, asecond half of the tube receiving surface 102 a defined by the end wall102 and a second half of the inner collar surface 106. Another alignmentconcavity 120 is formed at a central location on the inner collarsurface 106. The alignment concavity 120 is located to receive thealignment pins 92 a such that the collar 16 is positioned relative tothe fuel filler tube 22 at a predetermined location and remains inposition once installed. The inner collar surface 106 of the second halfcollar section 112 is also interrupted by a chamber opening 122 that isin fluid communication with an elbow fitting 124 installed to the outercollar surface 104 of the second half collar section 112. The elbowfitting 124 is therefore in fluid communication with the air ventchamber 15 with the collar 16 installed to the fuel filler tube 22.Further, like the first half collar section 110, the inner collarsurface 106 of the second half collar section 112 also includes acorresponding plurality of ribs R that extend in directions parallel toone another.

The ribs R are spaced apart from one another relative to an axialdirection of the collar 16. Further, the ribs R are interrupted withsections being removed to form a series of gaps G. The arrangement ofribs R and gaps G are staggered at least partially defining the abovementioned airflow passage way. Specifically, the airflow passageway is anon-linear, staggered path that extends from the opening 108 andeventually flows to the chamber opening 122. When the first half collarsection 110 and the second half collar section 112 are installed to oneanother and installed to the fuel filler tube 22, the ribs R and gaps Gof the first half collar section 110 and the second half collar section112 combine to make a labyrinth or maze that venting air must follow asit travels between the fuel filler compartment 56, the air vent chamber15, the chamber opening 122 and the line L₃. The airflow passageway actsas a filter, preventing debris and moisture from passing in or out ofthe chamber opening 122. Also, the chamber opening 122 includes a screen126 that also serves as a filter to prevent insects and/or debris frommoving through the chamber opening 122. The screen 126 can have a finemesh material with very small openings or can be a coarser screenmaterial with larger openings. As shown in FIG. 8, the chamber opening122 and the elbow fitting 124 are located above a majority of the airvent chamber 15. Hence, debris and moisture that might enter the airvent chamber 15 is further inhibited by gravity from entering thechamber opening 122.

When the first half collar section 110 and the second half collarsection 112 are attached to one another defining the collar 16, theannular surface 100 a of the annular wall 100 is a circular or annularshaped surface that contacts the second surface 86 of the cap protector72, as described above, Further, when the first half collar section 110and the second half collar section 112 are attached to one anotherdefining the collar 16, the tube receiving surface 102 a is a surfacethat completely encircles or surrounds the outer surface 92 of the fuelfiller tube 22. In the depicted embodiment, the tube receiving surface102 a is not annular but has a serpentine shape due to the inclusion ofsymmetrical recesses 128.

The first half collar section 110 and the second half collar section 112each include the recesses 128. As shown in FIG. 5, the recesses 128provide space for the line L₁(L₂) that vents the fuel filler tube 22below the removable fuel filler cap 58.

As shown in FIG. 3 the elbow fitting 124 of the collar 16 is connectedto the line L₃. Hence, the air vent chamber 15 is in fluid communicationwith the filter canister 30. It should be understood from the drawingsand the description herein that the removable fuel filler cap 58 doesnot impede the movement of air between the air vent chamber 15 and thefuel filler compartment 56.

It should also be understood from the drawings and the descriptionherein that the first half collar section 110 and the second half collarsection 112 are identical to one another except that the second halfcollar section 112 includes the chamber opening 122, the elbow fitting124 and the screen 126. Otherwise, the first half collar section 110 andthe second half collar section 112 are identical and mate together todefine the collar 16 in the first embodiment.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description hereinthat the air vent chamber structure 14 can be constructed and/or formedin any of a variety of ways. For example, the collar 16 can be replacedwith a half collar arrangement that attaches to the fuel filler tube 22in order to define the air vent chamber 15.

It should also be understood from the drawings and description herein,that the fuel door 54 does not provide an air tight seal between anexterior of the vehicle 50 and the fuel filler compartment 56.Therefore, air can move relatively freely between the fuel fillercompartment 56 and the exterior of the vehicle 50. However, the fueldoor 54 protects and covers the fuel filler compartment 56 preventingdebris and dirt from entering the fuel filler compartment 56. Therefore,the location of the air vent chamber 15 and the ability for air to movefreely between the air vent chamber 15 and the fuel filler compartment56 provides a clean environment for the movement of air to and from thefilter canister 30 during operation of the fuel vapor recovery system10.

In the depicted embodiment, the inner collar surface 106 of the collar16 (an end wall) and outer surface 92 of the fuel filler tube 22 areparallel to one another with the collar 16 fully installed.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, a fuel filler tube assembly 12′ inaccordance with a second embodiment will now be explained. In view ofthe similarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts ofthe second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the firstembodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of thefirst embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the secondembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity. The parts of the second embodimentthat differ from the parts of the first embodiment will be indicatedwith a single prime (′).

In the second embodiment, the fuel filler tube assembly 12′ replaces thefuel filler tube assembly 12 of the first embodiment in the fuel vaporrecovery system 10, but includes many of the structural elements of thefuel filler tube assembly 12 of the first embodiment. In the secondembodiment, the fuel filler tube assembly 12′ includes the fuel fillertube 22 of the first embodiment and the cap protector 72. However, inthe second embodiment, the collar 16 from the air vent chamber structure14 is eliminated and replaced with a collar 16′ from an air vent chamberstructure 14′. The collar 16′ only extends part way around the fuelfiller tube 22. The collar 16′ includes a first attachment flange F₁ anda second attachment flange F₂ that are fixedly attached to the fuelfiller tube 22 at circumferentially spaced apart locations. The firstwall 100′ of the air vent chamber structure 14′ extends from the firstattachment flange F₁ to the second attachment flange F₂. The first wall100′ partially surrounds the outer surface 92 of the fuel filler tube 22to define an air vent chamber 15′ between the first wall 100′, thesecond wall 102′, the outer surface 92 of the fuel filler tube 22, andthe exterior surface 86 of the cap protector 72.

In the first embodiment, the collar 16 can be made of a plastic orpolymer material. In the second embodiment, the collar 16′ is made ofmetal, and the first attachment flange F₁ and the second attachmentflange F₂ are welded to the side of the fuel filler tube 22 at welds W,thereby defining the air vent chamber 15′. The collar 16′ includes ribsR having gaps G, forming a labyrinth that defines an air flow passagewaysimilar to that of the collar 16 of the first embodiment. The collar 16′further includes the chamber opening 122, the elbow fitting 124 and thescreen 126 of the first embodiment. The collar 16′ joins with the capprotector 72 providing ventilation between the air vent chamber 15′ andthe fuel filler compartment 56 in a manner consistent with the firstembodiment.

The controller (not shown) of the fuel vapor recovery system 10preferably includes a microcomputer with a fuel vapor recovery systemcontrol program that controls the fuel vapor recovery system 10. Thecontroller can also include other conventional components such as aninput interface circuit, an output interface circuit, and storagedevices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) device and a RAM (Random AccessMemory) device. The microcomputer of the controller is programmed tocontrol the fuel vapor recovery system 10. The internal RAM of thecontroller stores statuses of operational flags and various controldata. The internal ROM of the controller stores the informationnecessary for various operations of the fuel vapor recovery system 10.The controller is capable of selectively controlling any of thecomponents of the control system in accordance with the control program.It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosurethat the precise structure and algorithms for the controller of the fuelvapor recovery system 10 can be any combination of hardware and softwarethat will carry out the functions of the present invention.

There are various components of the fuel vapor recovery system 10 andthe vehicle 50 that are conventional components that are well known inthe art. Since these components are well known in the art, thesestructures will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein.Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the components can be any type of structure and/orprogramming that can be used to carry out the present invention.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe theabove embodiments, the following directional terms “forward”,“rearward”, “above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and“transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions of a vehicle equipped with the fuel vapor recoverysystem. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the presentinvention should be interpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with thefuel vapor recovery system.

The term “detect” as used herein to describe an operation or functioncarried out by a component, a section, a device or the like includes acomponent, a section, a device or the like that does not requirephysical detection, but rather includes determining, measuring,modeling, predicting or computing or the like to carry out the operationor function.

The term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section orpart of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructedand/or programmed to carry out the desired function.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modifiedterm such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such features. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle fuel vapor recovery structurecomprising: a compartment wall structure having an interior surfacedefining a fuel filler compartment, the fuel filler compartment defininga tube receiving opening and a vent opening; a fuel tank; a fuel fillertube having an outer surface, an inner surface, a fuel receiving end anda fuel tank attachment end opposite the fuel receiving end, the fueltank attachment end extending to the fuel tank and being directlyattached to the fuel tank, the fuel receiving end defining a filleropening, the inner surface defining a fuel passageway that extends fromthe filler opening to the fuel tank attachment end, the fuel receivingend being located at the tube receiving opening of the fuel fillercompartment and the fuel tank attachment end being located outside thefuel filler compartment and spaced apart from the compartment wallstructure, the fuel receiving end extending through the tube receivingopening such that the fuel receiving end and the filler opening arelocated within the fuel filler compartment; and an air vent structurelocated outside of the fuel filler compartment and outside the fuelfiller tube along the outer surface of the fuel filler tube above thefuel tank attachment end and spaced apart from the fuel attachment endof the fuel filler tube, the air vent structure having a first wall anda second wall, the first wall having a first end contacting an exteriorsurface of the fuel filler compartment, the second wall extending fromthe first wall toward the outer surface of the fuel filler tube, withthe first wall, the second wall, a portion of the outer surface of thefuel filler tube and a portion of the exterior surface of the fuelfiller compartment defining an air vent chamber in fluid communicationwith the vent opening of the compartment wall structure, the air ventstructure defining a chamber opening connected via a vent line to a fuelvapor filter canister such that vapor from the fuel filler compartmentis vented to the fuel vapor filter canister through the chamber opening,the air vent structure having a screen at the chamber opening to prevententry of objects through the chamber opening to the fuel vapor filtercanister.
 2. The vehicle fuel vapor recovery structure according toclaim 1, wherein the screen includes a fine mesh material.
 3. Thevehicle fuel vapor recovery structure according to claim 1, wherein thechamber opening is open to the air vent chamber.
 4. The vehicle fuelvapor recovery structure according to claim 3, wherein the vent openingof the compartment wall structure comprises a plurality of vent openingsthat provide fluid communication between the fuel filler compartment andthe air vent chamber, each of the plurality of vent openings beingspaced apart from one another circumferentially around the tubereceiving opening.
 5. The vehicle fuel vapor recovery structureaccording to claim 3, wherein the vent opening of the compartment wallstructure comprises a plurality of vent openings that provide fluidcommunication between the fuel filler compartment and the air ventchamber, each of the plurality of vent openings being spaced apart in aradial direction from the tube receiving opening.
 6. The vehicle fuelvapor recovery structure according to claim 3, wherein the chamberopening is located at an upper portion of the air vent chamber.
 7. Thevehicle fuel vapor recovery structure according to claim 3, furthercomprising a first seal located between the first wall of the air ventchamber structure and the exterior surface of the compartment wallstructure, and a second seal positioned between the second wall of theair vent chamber structure and the outer surface of the fuel fillertube.
 8. The vehicle fuel vapor recovery structure according to claim 1,wherein the air vent structure is a collar with a cylindrical shape andis installed along the outer surface of the fuel filler tube.
 9. Thevehicle fuel vapor recovery structure according to claim 1, wherein thecompartment wall structure includes a body panel defining a compartmentopening, an intermediate wall structure attached to the body panel anddefining an outboard portion of the fuel filler compartment, and a capprotector attached to the wall structure and defining an inboard portionof the fuel filler compartment.
 10. The vehicle fuel vapor recoverystructure according to claim 9, wherein the cap protector defines thetube receiving opening and the vent opening.
 11. The vehicle fuel vaporrecovery structure according to claim 1, wherein the air vent structurecompletely encircles an outer surface of the fuel filler tube and islocated adjacent to the fuel filler compartment.
 12. The vehicle fuelvapor recovery structure according to claim 1, wherein the air ventstructure includes a first attachment flange and a second attachmentflange that are fixedly attached to the fuel filler tube atcircumferentially spaced apart locations, with the air vent structuresurrounding an outer surface of the fuel filler tube.
 13. The vehiclefuel vapor recovery structure according to claim 12, wherein the airvent structure at least partially defines an airflow passagewayfollowing a non-linear and staggered path that extends from the fuelfiller compartment and the screen at the chamber opening.
 14. Thevehicle fuel vapor recovery structure according to claim 13, wherein thescreen is located within the airflow passageway and covers the chamberopening.
 15. The vehicle fuel vapor recovery structure according toclaim 14, wherein the screen includes a fine mesh material.